Circuit interrupting device and system utilizing bridge contact mechanism and reset lockout

ABSTRACT

A GFCI device which has reverse wiring protection is provided where no power is present at the face terminals even when the device is reverse wired. The device has a pair of movable bridges connected to its terminals. The terminal bridge pair makes contact with the load and face terminals providing power to these terminals when the device is reset. The device also has a reset lockout feature that prevents it from being reset after having been tripped if the circuit interrupting portion of the device is non-operational.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of aprovisional application having serial No. 60/444,469 which was filed onFeb. 3, 2003.

[0002] This application is being filed on Oct. 22, 2003 concurrentlywith a commonly owned and related application entitled “CircuitInterrupting Device and System Utilizing Electromechanical Reset.”

BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Field

[0004] The present application is directed to a family of resettablecircuit interrupting devices and systems that comprises ground faultcircuit interrupters (GFCI's), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI's),immersion detection circuit interrupters (IDCI's), appliance leakagecircuit interrupters (ALCI's), equipment leakage circuit interrupters(ELCI's), circuit breakers, contactors, latching relays and solenoidmechanisms. More particularly, the present application is directed tocircuit interrupting devices that include a circuit interrupting portionthat can break electrically conductive paths between a line side and aload side of the devices.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Many electrical wiring devices have a line side, which isconnectable to an electrical power supply, and a load side, which isconnectable to one or more loads and at least one conductive pathbetween the line and load sides. Electrical connections to wiressupplying electrical power or wires conducting electricity to the one ormore loads are at line side and load side connections. The electricalwiring device industry has witnessed an increasing call for circuitbreaking devices or systems which are designed to interrupt power tovarious loads, such as household appliances, consumer electricalproducts and branch circuits. In particular, electrical codes requireelectrical circuits in home bathrooms and kitchens to be equipped withground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), for example. A more detaileddescription of a GFCI device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894,which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Presentlyavailable GFCI devices, such as the device described in commonly ownedU.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894 (the '894 patent), use an electrically activatedtrip mechanism to mechanically break an electrical connection betweenthe line side and the load side. Such devices are resettable after theyare tripped by, for example, the detection of a ground fault. In thedevice discussed in the '894 patent, the trip mechanism used to causethe mechanical breaking of the circuit (i.e., the conductive pathbetween the line and load sides) includes a solenoid (or trip coil). Atest button is used to test the trip mechanism and circuitry used tosense faults, and a reset button is used to reset the electricalconnection between line and load sides.

[0007] However, instances may arise where an abnormal condition, causedby for example a lightning strike, occurs which may result not only in asurge of electricity at the device and a tripping of the device but alsoa disabling of the trip mechanism used to cause the mechanical breakingof the circuit. This may occur without the knowledge of the user. Undersuch circumstances an unknowing user, faced with a GFCI which hastripped, may press the reset button which, in turn, will cause thedevice with an inoperative trip mechanism to be reset without the groundfault protection available.

[0008] Further, an open neutral condition, which is defined inUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist with theelectrical wires supplying electrical power to such GFCI devices. If anopen neutral condition exists with the neutral wire on the line (versusload) side of the GFCI device, an instance may arise where a currentpath is created from the phase (or hot) wire supplying power to the GFCIdevice through the load side of the device and a person to ground. Inthe event that an open neutral condition exists, current GFCI devices,which have tripped, may be reset even though the open neutral conditionmay remain.

[0009] Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,967 having Ser. No. 09/138,955with a filing date of Aug. 24, 1998, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference, describes a family of resettable circuitinterrupting devices capable of locking out the reset portion of thedevice if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if anopen neutral condition exists.

[0010] Some of the circuit interrupting devices described above have auser accessible load side connection in addition to the line and loadside connections. The user accessible load side connection includes oneor more connection points where a user can externally connect to theelectrical power supplied from the line side. The load side connectionand user accessible load side connection are typically electricallyconnected together. An example of such a circuit interrupting device isa GFCI receptacle, where the line and load side connections are bindingscrews and the user accessible load side connection is a typical two orthree hole receptacle used in power outlets for connection to electricaldevices typically using a three-prong or two-prong male plug. As noted,such devices are connected to external wiring so that line wires areconnected to the line side connection and load side wires are connectedto the load side connection. However, instances may occur where thecircuit interrupting device is improperly connected to the externalwires so that the load wires are connected to the line side connectionand the line wires are connected to the load connection. This is knownas reverse wiring. In the event the circuit interrupting device isreverse wired, fault protection to the user accessible load connectionmay be eliminated, even if fault protection to the load side connectionremains. Further, because fault protection is eliminated the useraccessible terminals (i.e., three hole or two hole receptacles) willhave electrical power making a user think that the device is operatingproperly when in fact it is not. Therefore, there exists a need todetect faults when the circuit interrupting device is reverse wired.Also, there exists a need to prevent a device from being reverse wired.Further, there exists a need to prevent the user accessible loadterminals from having electrical power when the circuit interruptingdevice is reverse wired or when the circuit interrupting device is notoperating properly.

SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuitinterrupting devices that prevents electric power from being accessibleto users of such devices when these devices are reversed wired. Thedevices have a reset lockout mechanism that prevents them from beingreset when they are not operating properly. When the devices are notreset and if such devices are reverse wired no power is available to anyuser accessible receptacles and/or plugs located on the face of thedevices. Each of the devices of the present invention has at least onepair of line terminals, one pair of load terminals and one pair of faceterminals. The line terminals are capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of power. The load terminals are capable of beingelectrically connected to a load and are improperly connected toelectrical power when the device is reverse wired. The face terminalsare electrically connected to user accessible plugs and/or receptacleslocated on the face of a device for example. The line, load and faceterminals are electrically isolated from each other. The devices of thepresent invention are manufactured and shipped in a trip condition,i.e., no electrical connection between line terminals and load terminalsand no electrical connection between the load terminals and faceterminals. Thus, in the trip condition the at least three terminals areelectrically isolated from each other.

[0012] Each of the pairs of terminals has a phase terminals and aneutral terminal. A phase conducting path is created when thecorresponding phase terminals are connected to each other. Similarly aneutral conducting path is created when the corresponding neutralterminals are connected to each other. Preferably, the phase conductivepath includes one or more switch devices that are capable of opening tocause electrical discontinuity in the phase conductive path and capableof closing to reestablish the electrical continuity in the phaseconductive paths. Also, the neutral conductive path includes one or moreswitch devices that are capable of opening to cause electricaldiscontinuity in the neutral conductive path and capable of closing toreestablish the electrical continuity in the neutral conductive paths.

[0013] The devices of the present invention each further has a pair ofmovable bridges which are electrically connected to the line terminals.The movable bridges electrically connect the line terminals to the loadand face terminals when the devices are reset thus bringing power to theface of the devices. The movable bridges are mechanically biased awayfrom the load and face terminals. When the devices are improperly wiredor reverse wired (i.e., power connected to load terminals), the resetlockout mechanism prevents the movable bridges from connecting the lineterminals to the load and face terminals even when an attempt is made toreset the device thus preventing electric power to be present at theface terminals or user accessible plugs and/or receptacles.

[0014] In one embodiment, the circuit interrupting device comprises ahousing within which the line terminals, the movable bridges, the loadterminals and the face terminals are at least partially disposed. Thecircuit interrupting device also comprises a circuit interruptingportion that is disposed within the housing and configured to causeelectrical discontinuity between the terminals upon the occurrence of apredetermined condition. The circuit interrupting device furthercomprises a trip portion, a reset portion and a sensing circuit.

[0015] One embodiment for the circuit interrupting device uses anelectromechanical circuit interrupting portion that causes electricaldiscontinuity between the line, load and face terminals. The resetlockout mechanism prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuitybetween the line, load and face terminals unless the circuitinterrupting portion is operating properly. That is, the reset lockoutprevents resetting of the device unless the circuit interrupting portionis operating properly. The reset portion allows the device to be resetcausing electrical continuity between the line terminals and the loadterminals and electrical continuity between the line terminals and theface terminals; i.e., device in set or reset mode. Also, there iselectrical continuity between the load terminals and the face terminalswhen the device is reset. Thus the reset portion establishes electricalcontinuity between the line, load and face terminals. Theelectromechanical circuit interrupting portion comprises a latch plateand lifter assembly, a coil and plunger assembly, a mechanical switchassembly, the movable bridges and the sensing circuit.

[0016] The reset portion comprises a reset pin connected to a resetbutton; the button and reset pin are mechanically biased and said resetpin has a flange (e.g., circular flange or disk) extending radially froman end portion of the reset pin for interference with the latch plateand lifter assembly when the reset button is depressed while the deviceis in the trip condition. The interfered latch plate and lifter assemblyengages the mechanical switch assembly which triggers the sensingcircuit. If the circuit interrupting portion is operating properly, thetriggered sensing circuit causes a coil assembly coupled to the sensingcircuitry to be energized. The energized coil assembly, which has amovable plunger located therein, causes the movable plunger to engagethe latch plate allowing the end portion of the reset pin and the flangeto go through momentarily aligned openings in the latch plate and lifterassembly. The openings then become misaligned trapping the flange andthe end portion of the reset pin underneath the lifter. The flange nowinterferes with the latch plate and lifter assembly from underneath thelifter. The biasing of the reset pin is such that the reset pin tends tomove away from the latch and lifter assembly when the button is releasedafter having been depressed. Upon release of the reset button, thebiasing of the reset pin in concert with its interfering flange allow itto lift the latch plate and lifter assembly. Thus, the lifter portion ofthe latch plate and lifter assembly engages with the movable bridgescausing the bridges to electrically connect the line, load and faceterminals to each other thus putting the device in a set or resetcondition. If the circuit interrupting portion is not operating properlythe plunger of the coil assembly does not engage the latch plate andlifter assembly thus preventing the circuit interrupting device frombeing reset.

[0017] The sensing circuit comprises various electrical and electroniccomponents for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined condition.The sensing circuitry is coupled to the electromechanical circuitinterrupting portion. Upon detection of a predetermined condition thesensing circuitry activates the electromechanical circuit interruptercausing the device to be in the trip condition.

[0018] The trip condition is obtained by activating the trip portion ofthe circuit interrupting device. The trip portion of the circuitinterrupting device is disposed at least partially within the housingand is configured to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase and/orneutral conductive paths. The trip condition can also occur when thedevice detects a predetermined condition (e.g., ground fault) while inthe reset mode. In one embodiment, the trip portion comprises a testbutton connected to a trip pin having a cam or angled portion at its endwhich cam portion can engage the latch plate when the device has beenreset. The trip pin and the test button are mechanically biased suchthat the trip pin tends to move away from the latch and lifter assemblywhen the test button is released after having been depressed. The tripportion when activated (i.e., test button is depressed), while thedevice is in the reset mode, causes the cam portion of the trip pin toengage the latch plate momentarily aligning the lifter and latch plateopenings; this allows the end portion and flange of the reset pin to bereleased from underneath the lifter and thus no longer interfere withthe lifter and latch plate assembly. As a result the lifter and latchplate no longer lift the movable bridges and the biasing of the movablebridges causes them to move away from the load and face terminalsdisconnecting the line, load and face terminals from each other thusputting the device in the trip condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present application are describedherein with reference to the drawings, in which similar elements aregiven similar reference characters, wherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground faultcircuit interrupting device according to the present application;

[0021]FIG. 2 is top view of a portion of the GFCI device shown in FIG.1, with the face portion removed;

[0022]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the face terminalinternal frames, the load terminals and the movable bridges;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement of some of thecomponents of the circuit interrupting portion of the device of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the reset portion of the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lifter/latchassembly of the circuit interrupting device of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a schematic of the sensing circuit;

[0028]FIGS. 9-14 show the sequence of operation when the device of thepresent invention is reset from a tripped state;

[0029]FIGS. 15-18 show the sequence of operation when the device of thepresent invention is tripped while in a reset state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present application contemplates various types of circuitinterrupting devices that have at least one conductive path. Theconductive path is typically divided between a line side that connectsto electrical power, a load side that connects to one or more loads anda user side that connects to user accessible plugs or receptacles. Asnoted, the various devices in the family of resettable circuitinterrupting devices comprise: ground fault circuit interrupters(GFCI's), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI's), immersion detectioncircuit interrupters (IDCI's), appliance leakage circuit interrupters(ALCI's) and equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCI's).

[0031] For the purpose of the present application, the structure ormechanisms used in the circuit interrupting devices, shown in thedrawings and described hereinbelow, are incorporated into a GFCI devicesuitable for installation in a single-gang junction box used in, forexample, a residential electrical wiring system. However, the mechanismsaccording to the present application can be included in any of thevarious devices in the family of resettable circuit interruptingdevices. Further, more generally the circuit interrupting device of thepresent invention can be implemented as any device having at least afirst, second, and third electrical conductor each of which is at leastpartially disposed in a housing. The electrical conductors areelectrically isolated from each other with the first conductor capableof being connected to electrical power, the second conductor capable ofbeing connected to one or more loads and the third conductor configuredto be accessible to users. At least one movable bridge, one end of whichis connected to the source of power and the first conductor, is able toconnect the first, second and third electrical conductors to each otherand disconnect said conductors from each other when a fault orpredetermined condition is detected.

[0032] More specifically, however, the circuit interrupting devicesdescribed herein have at least three pairs of electrically isolatedterminals: at least one pair of line terminals, at least one pair ofload terminals and at least one pair of user or face terminals. The atleast one pair of line terminals permits electrical power (e.g.,alternating current (AC)) to be connected to the device and the at leastone load terminal permits external conductors or appliances to beconnected to the device. These connections may be, for example,electrical fastening devices that secure or connect external conductorsto the circuit interrupting device, as well as conduct electricity.Examples of such connections include binding screws, lugs, terminals andexternal plug connections. The at least one face or user terminal, whichtypically is implemented using two-prong or three-prong receptacles,allows users to electrically connect electrical devices to the GFCIdevice typically via the two-prong or three-prong male plugs that matewith the receptacles.

[0033] The above-described features can be incorporated in anyresettable circuit interrupting device, but for the sake of explanationthe description to follow is directed to a GFCI device.

[0034] In one embodiment, the GFCI device has a circuit interruptingportion, a reset portion and a reset lockout mechanism. The GFCI devicealso has a mechanical trip portion. The GFCI device further has a pairof movable bridges that, when engaged, connect the line terminals toload and face terminals. When the bridge is not engaged, the line, loadand face terminals are electrically isolated from each other. Becausethe face terminals are electrically isolated from the load and lineterminals, there will be no power at the face terminals even if the GFCIdevice is reverse wired (power connected to load terminals instead ofline terminals). When the movable bridge is not engaged and thus theline, load and face terminals are electrically isolated from each other,the device is said to be in a tripped condition.

[0035] The circuit interrupting and reset portions described hereinpreferably use electro-mechanical components to break (open) and make(close) one or more conductive paths between the line and load terminalsof the device and also between the line and face terminals. However,electrical components, such as solid state switches and supportingcircuitry, may be used to open and close the conductive paths.

[0036] Generally, the circuit interrupting portion is used toautomatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductivepaths (i.e., open the conductive path) between the line and loadterminals upon the detection of a fault, which in the embodimentdescribed is a ground fault. Electrical continuity is also brokenbetween the line and face terminals. The reset portion is used to closethe open conductive paths.

[0037] In this configuration, the operation of the reset and resetlockout portions is in conjunction with the operation of the circuitinterrupting portion, so that electrical continuity in open conductivepaths cannot be reset if the circuit interrupting portion isnon-operational, if an open neutral condition exists and/or if thedevice is reverse wired. When the circuit interrupting portion isnon-operational—meaning that any one or more of its components is notoperating properly—the device cannot be reset. The mechanical tripportion is able to break electrical continuity between the line, loadand face terminals independently of the operation of the circuitinterrupting portion. Thus, in the event the circuit interruptingportion is not operating properly, the device can still be tripped.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 1, the GFCI device has a housing 12 to whicha face or cover portion 36 is removably secured. The face portion 36 hasentry ports 16, 18, 24 and 26 aligned with receptacles for receivingnormal or polarized prongs of a male plug of the type normally found atthe end of a household device electrical cord (not shown), as well asground-prong-receiving openings 17 and 25 to accommodate three-wireplugs. The GFCI device also includes a mounting strap 14 used to fastenthe device to a junction box.

[0039] A test button 22 extends through opening 23 in the face portion36 of the housing 12. The test button is used to set the device 10 to atrip condition. The circuit interrupting portion, to be described inmore detail below, is used to break electrical continuity in one or moreconductive paths between the line and load side of the device. A resetbutton 20 forming a part of the reset portion extends through opening 19in the face portion 36 of the housing 12. The reset button is used toactivate a reset operation, which reestablishes electrical continuity inthe open conductive paths.

[0040] Still referring to FIG. 1, electrical connections to existinghousehold electrical wiring are made via binding screws 28 and 30 where,for example, screw 30 is an input (or line) phase connection, and screw28 is an output (or load) phase connection. Screws 28 and 30 arefastened (via a threaded arrangement) to terminals 32 and 34respectively. However, the GFCI device can be designed so that screw 30can be an output phase connection and screw 28 an input phase or lineconnection. Terminals 32 and 34 are one half of terminal pairs. Thus,two additional binding screws and terminals (not shown) are located onthe opposite side of the device 10. These additional binding screwsprovide line and load neutral connections, respectively. It should alsobe noted that the binding screws and terminals are exemplary of thetypes of wiring terminals that can be used to provide the electricalconnections. Examples of other types of wiring terminals include setscrews, pressure clamps, pressure plates, push-in type connections,pigtails and quick- connect tabs. The face terminals are implemented asreceptacles configured to mate with male plugs. A detailed depiction ofthe face terminals is shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of the GFCI device (without faceportion 36 and strap 14) is shown. An internal housing structure 40provides the platform on which the components of the GFCI device arepositioned. Reset button 20 and test button 22 are mounted on housingstructure 40. Housing structure 40 is mounted on printed circuit board38. The receptacle aligned to opening 16 of face portion 36 is made fromextensions 50A and 52A of frame 48. Frame 48 is made from an electricityconducting material from which the receptacles aligned with openings 16and 24 are formed. The receptacle aligned with opening 24 of faceportion 36 is constructed from extensions 50B and 52B of frame 48. Also,frame 48 has a flange the end of which has electricity conductingcontact 56 attached thereto. Frame 46 is an electricity conductingmaterial from which receptacles aligned with openings 18 and 26 areformed. The receptacle aligned with opening 18 of frame portion 36 isconstructed with frame extensions 42A and 44A. The receptacle alignedwith opening 26 of face portion 36 is constructed with extensions 42Band 44B. Frame 46 has a flange the end of which has electricityconducting contact 60 attached thereto. Therefore, frames 46 and 48 formthe face terminals implemented as receptacles aligned to openings 16,18, 24 and 26 of face portion 36 of GFCI 10 (see FIG. 1). Load terminal32 and line terminal 34 are also mounted on internal housing structure40. Load terminal 32 has an extension the end of which electricityconducting load contact 58 is attached. Similarly, load terminal 54 hasan extension to which electricity conducting contact 62 is attached. Theline, load and face terminals are electrically isolated from each otherand are electrically connected to each other by a pair of movablebridges. The relationship between the line, load and face terminals andhow they are connected to each other is shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the positioning of theface and load terminals with respect to each other and their interactionwith the movable bridges (64, 66). Although the line terminals are notshown, it is understood that they are electrically connected to one endof the movable bridges. The movable bridges (64, 66) are generallyelectrical conductors that are configured and positioned to connect atleast the line terminals to the load terminals. In particular movablebridge 66 has bent portion 66B and connecting portion 66A. Bent portion66B is electrically connected to line terminal 34 (not shown).Similarly, movable bridge 64 has bent portion 64B and connecting portion64A. Bent portion 64B is electrically connected to the other lineterminal (not shown); the other line terminal being located on the sideopposite that of line terminal 34. Connecting portion 66A of movablebridge 66 has two fingers each having a bridge contact (68, 70) attachedto its end. Connecting portion 64A of movable bridge 64 also has twofingers each of which has a bridge contact (72, 74) attached to its end.The bridge contacts (68, 70, 72 and 74) are made from relatively highlyconductive material. Also, face terminal contacts 56 and 60 are madefrom relatively highly conductive material. Further, the load terminalcontacts 58 and 62 are made from relatively highly conductive material.The movable bridges are preferably made from flexible metal that can bebent when subjected to mechanical forces. The connecting portions (64A,66A) of the movable bridges are mechanically biased downward or in thegeneral direction shown by arrow 67. When the GFCI device is reset theconnecting portions of the movable bridges are caused to move in thedirection shown by arrow 65 and engage the load and face terminals thusconnecting the line, load and face terminals to each other. Inparticular connecting portion 66A of movable bridge 66 is bent upward(direction shown by arrow 65) to allow contacts 68 and 70 to engagecontacts 56 of frame 48 and contact 58 of load terminal 32 respectively.Similarly, connecting portion 64A of movable bridge 64 is bent upward(direction shown by arrow 65) to allow contacts 72 and 74 to engagecontact 62 of load terminal 54 and contact 60 of frame 46 respectively.The connecting portions of the movable bridges are bent upwards by alatch/lifter assembly positioned underneath the connecting portionswhere this assembly moves in an upward direction (direction shown byarrow 65) when the GFCI is reset as will be discussed herein below withrespect to FIG. 14. It should be noted that the contacts of a movablebridge engaging a contact of a load or face terminals occurs whenelectric current flows between the contacts; this is done by having thecontacts touch each other. Some of the components that cause theconnecting portions of the movable bridges to move upward are shown inFIG. 4.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown mounted on printedcircuit board 38 a coil plunger combination comprising bobbin 82 havinga cavity in which elongated cylindrical plunger 80 is slidably disposed.For clarity of illustration frame 48 and load terminal 32 are not shown.One end of plunger 80 is shown extending outside of the bobbin cavity.The other end of plunger 80 (not shown) is coupled to or engages aspring that provides the proper force for pushing a portion of theplunger outside of the bobbin cavity after the plunger has been pulledinto the cavity due to a resulting magnetic force when the coil isenergized. Electrical wire (not shown) is wound around bobbin 82 to formthe coil. For clarity of illustration the wire wound around bobbin 82 isnot shown. A lifter 78 and latch 84 assembly is shown where the lifter78 is positioned underneath the movable bridges. The movable bridges 66and 64 are secured with mounting brackets 86 (only one is shown) whichis also used to secure line terminal 34 and the other line terminal (notshown) to the GFCI device. It is understood that the other mountingbracket 86 used to secure movable bridge 64 is positioned directlyopposite the shown mounting bracket. The reset button 20 has a reset pin76 that engages lifter 78 and latch 84 assembly as will be shown below.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a side view of FIG. 4.When the coil is energized, plunger 80 is pulled into the coil in thedirection shown by arrow 81. Connecting portion 66A of movable bridge 66is shown biased downward (in the direction shown by arrow 85). Althoughnot shown, connecting portion of movable bridge 64 is similarly biased.Also part of a mechanical switch—test arm 90—is shown positioned under aportion of the lifter 78. It should be noted that because frame 48 isnot shown, face terminal contact 56 is also not shown.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown the positioning of thelifter 78, latch 84 assembly relative to the bobbin 82, the reset button20 and reset pin 76. Note that the reset pin has a lower portion 76A anda disk shape flange 76B. It should be noted that the flange 76 can beany shape, the disk shape flange shown here is one particular embodimentof the type of flange that can be used. The lower portion 76A of thereset pin and flange 76B are positioned so as to extend through alignedopenings of the latch 84 and lifter 78. The mechanical switch assemblyis also shown positioned underneath a portion of the lifter 78. Themechanical switch assembly comprises test arm 90 and test pin 92 used tocause a trip condition to occur. The reset button 20 and reset pin 76are biased with a spring coil (not shown) in the upward direction(direction shown by arrow 94). Test arm 90 of the mechanical switch isalso biased upward. When the test arm 90 is pressed downward (directionshown by arrow 94A), it will tend to move upward (direction shown byarrow 94) to its original position when released. Similarly, when resetbutton 20 is depressed (in the direction shown by arrow 94A), it willreturn to its original position by moving in the direction shown byarrow 94. Latch plate 84 and lifter 78 assembly are mounted on top ofbobbin 82. Only a portion of lifter 78 is shown so as to illustrate howlifter 78 engages test arm 90 and how latch plate 84 engages lifter 78.The specific relationship between latch plate 84 and lifter 78 is shownin FIG. 7.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown how the latch plate 84 isslidably and springingly mounted to lifter 78. Latch plate 84 has anopening 84B and another opening 84D within which spring coil 84A ispositioned. Latch plate stub 84C is use to receive one end of springcoil 84A and the other end of spring coil 84A engages with a detentportion of lifter 78. Latch plate 84 has a hook portion 84E used toengage test button 22 as will be discussed herein below with respect toFIG. 15. Although not part of the latch plate/lifter assembly, reset pin76, with lower portion 76A and flange 76B is designed to extend throughopening 78A of lifter 78 and opening 84B of latch plate 84 when the twoopenings are aligned to each other. The two openings become aligned witheach other when the plunger 80 of the coil plunger assembly engageslatch plate 84 as will be discussed herein. The plunger is caused to bepulled into the cavity of the bobbin 82 when the coil is energized by asensing circuit when the circuit detects a fault or a predeterminedcondition. In the embodiment being discussed, the predeterminedcondition detected is a ground fault. The predetermined condition can beany type of fault such as an arc fault, equipment fault, applianceleakage fault or an immersion detection fault. Generally a fault is anindication that the circuit interrupting device has detected a dangerouscondition and has or intends to disconnect power from any loadsconnected to the device via the load terminals and/or the faceterminals. The sensing circuit is shown in FIG. 8.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a sensing circuitcomprising a differential transformer, a Ground/Neutral (G/N)transformer, an integrated circuit (IC-1) for detecting current andoutputting a voltage once it detects a current, a full wave bridgerectifier (D3, D4, D5, and D6), a surge suppressor (MV1) for absorbingextreme electrical energy levels that may be present at the lineterminals, various filtering coupling capacitors (C1-C9), a gatedsemiconductor device (Q1), a relay coil assembly (K1), various currentlimiting resistors (R1-R4) and a voltage limiting zener diode (D2). Themechanical switch—comprising test arm 90 and test pin 92—is shownconnected to the conductors of the line terminals. The movable bridgesare shown as switches that connect the line terminals to the face andload terminals. The line, load and face terminals are electricallyisolated from each other unless connected by the movable bridges. When apredetermined condition-such as a ground fault—occurs, there is adifference in current amplitude between the two line terminals. Thiscurrent difference is manifested as a net current which is detected bythe differential transformer and is provided to IC-1. Integrated circuitIC-1 can be any one of integrated circuits typically used in groundfault circuits (e.g., LM-1851) manufactured by National Semiconductor orother well known semiconductor manufacturers. In response to the currentprovided by the differential transformer, integrated circuit IC-1generates a voltage on pin 1 which is connected to the gate of Q1. Afull wave bridge comprising diodes D3-D6 has a DC side which isconnected to the anode of Q1. Q1 is turned on shorting the DC side ofthe full wave bridge activating relay K1 causing the movable bridges toremove power from the face and load terminals. The relay K1 isimplemented with the bobbin 82, coil (not shown) and plunger 80components. Note diode DI performs a rectification function retainingthe supply voltage to IC-1 when Q1 is turned on. The relay K1 can alsobe activated when mechanical switch 90 is closed which causes a currentimbalance on the line terminal conductors that is detected by thedifferential transformer. The G/N transformer detects a remote groundvoltage that may be present on one of the load terminal conductors andprovides a current to IC-1 upon detection of this remote ground whichagain activates relay K1.

[0048] The sensing circuit engages a circuit interrupting portion of theGFCI device causing the device to be tripped. Also, the sensing circuitallows the GFCI device to be reset after it has been tripped if thereset lockout has not been activated as discussed herein below. In thetripped condition the line terminals, load terminals and face terminalsare electrically isolated from each other. Thus, even if the device isreverse wired, there will be no power at the face terminals. A GFCImanufactured in accordance to present invention is shipped in thetripped condition. The circuit interrupting portion comprises the coiland plunger (80) assembly, the latch plate (84) and lifter (78)assembly, and the mechanical switch assembly (90, 92).

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 9-14, there is shown a sequence of how theGFCI is reset from a tripped condition. When the GFCI device is in atripped condition, the line, load and face terminals are electricallyisolated from each other because the movable bridges are not engaged toany of the terminals. Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown the positioningof the reset button 20, reset pin 76, reset pin lower portion 76A anddisk 76B when the device is in the tripped condition. In the trippedcondition, the lifter 78 positioned below the movable bridges (notshown) does not engage the movable bridges. Reset button 20 is in itsfully up position. Latch 84 and lifter 78 are such that the openings ofthe latch 84 and the lifter 78 are misaligned not allowing disk 76B togo through the openings. Also a portion of lifter 78 is positioneddirectly above test arm 90 but does not engage test arm 90.

[0050] In FIG. 10, to initiate the resetting of the GFCI device, resetbutton 20 is depressed (in the direction shown by 94A) causing flange76B to interfere with latch plate 84 as shown which causes lifter 78 topress down on test arm 90 of the mechanical switch. As a result, testarm 90 makes contact with test pin 92 (see FIG. 6).

[0051] In FIG. 11, when test arm 90 makes contact with test pin 92, thesensing circuit is triggered as explained above, energizing the coilcausing plunger 80 to be momentarily pulled into the bobbin 82 engaginglatch plate 84 and more specifically pushing momentarily latch plate 84in the direction shown by arrow 81.

[0052] In FIG. 12, the latch plate, when pushed by plunger 80, slidesalong lifter 78 (in the direction shown by arrow 81) so as to align itsopening with the lifter opening allowing flange 76B and part of lowerreset pin portion 76A to extend through the openings 84B, 78A (see FIG.7).

[0053] In FIG. 13, the latch plate then recoils back (in the directionshown by arrow 81A) and upon release of the reset button, test arm 90also springs back disengaging from test pin 92. In FIG. 14, therecoiling of the latch plate 84 causes the opening 84B to once again bemisaligned with opening 74A thus trapping flange 76B underneath thelifter 78 and latch assembly. When reset button is released the biasingof the reset pin 76 in concert with the trapped flange 76B raise thelifter and latch assembly causing the lifter (located underneath themovable bridges) to engage the movable bridges 66, 64. In particular,the connecting portions (66A, 64A) of the movable bridges 66 and 64respectively are bent in the direction shown by arrow 65 (see FIG. 3 andcorresponding discussion supra) resulting in the line terminals, loadterminals and face terminals being electrically connected to each other.The GFCI is now in the reset mode meaning that the electrical contactsof the line, load and face terminals are all electrically connected toeach other allowing power from the line terminal to be provided to theload and face terminals. The GFCI will remain in the reset mode untilthe sensing circuit detects a fault or the GFCI is tripped purposely bydepressing the test button 22.

[0054] When the sensing circuit detects a condition such as a groundfault for a GFCI or other conditions (e.g., arc fault, immersiondetection fault, appliance leakage fault, equipment leakage fault), thesensing circuit energizes the coil causing the plunger 80 to engage thelatch 84 resulting in the latch opening 84B being aligned with thelifter opening 78A allowing the lower portion of the reset pin 76A andthe disk 76B to escape from underneath the lifter causing the lifter todisengage from the movable bridges 64, 66 which, due to their biasing,move away from the face terminals contacts and load terminal contacts.As a result, the line, load and face terminals are electrically isolatedfrom each other and thus the GFCI device is in a tripped state orcondition (see FIG. 9).

[0055] The GFCI device of the present invention can also enter thetripped state by pressing the test button 22. In FIGS. 15-18, there isillustrated a sequence of operation showing how the device can betripped using the test button 22. In FIG. 15, while the device is in thereset mode, test button 22 is depressed. Test button 22 has test buttonpin portion 22A and cam end portion 22B connected thereto and ismechanically biased upward in the direction shown by arrow 94. The camend portion 22B is preferably conically shaped so that when it engageswith the hooked end 84E of latch plate 84 a cam action occurs due to theangle of the end portion of the test button pin 22A.

[0056] In FIG. 16, the cam action is the movement of latch plate 84 inthe direction shown by arrow 81 as test button 22 is pushed down(direction shown by arrow 94A) causing latch plate opening 84B to bealigned with lifter opening 78A.

[0057] In FIG. 17, the alignment of the openings (78A, 84B) allows thelower portion of the reset pin 76A and the disk 76B to escape fromunderneath the lifter causing the lifter to disengage from the movablebridges 64, 66 which, due to their biasing, move away from the faceterminals contacts and load terminal contacts (see FIG. 3). The testbutton 20 is now in a fully up position. As a result, the line, load andface terminals are electrically isolated from each other and thus theGFCI device is in a tripped state or condition (see FIG. 9). In FIG. 18,the test button 22 is released allowing its bias to move it upward(direction shown by arrow 94) and disengage from the hook portion 84E oflatch plate 84. The latch plate recoils in the direction shown by arrow81A thus causing the opening in the latch plate 84 to be misaligned withthe opening of the lifter 78. The device is now in the tripped position.It should be noted that once the device of the present invention is in atripped position, depressing the test button will not perform anyfunction because at this point the latch 84 cannot be engaged by theangled end of the test button 22. The test button 22 will perform thetrip function after the device has been reset.

[0058] The GFCI device of the present invention once in the trippedposition will not be allowed to be reset (by pushing the reset button)if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational; that is if anyone or more of the components of the circuit interrupting portion is notoperating properly, the device cannot be reset. Further, if the sensingcircuit is not operating properly, the device can not be reset. Thereset lockout mechanism of the present invention can be implemented inan affirmative manner where one or more components specifically designedfor a reset lockout function are arranged so as to prevent the devicefrom being reset if the circuit interrupting portion or if the sensingcircuit are not operating properly. The reset lockout mechanism can alsobe implemented in a passive manner where the device will not enter thereset mode if any one or more of the components of the sensing circuitor if any one or more of the components of the circuit interruptingportion is not operating properly; this passive reset lockout approachis implemented in the present invention. For example, if anyone of thefollowing components is not operating properly or has amalfunction—i.e., the coil/plunger assembly (82,80) or the latchplate/lifter assembly (84,78) or the reset button/reset pin (22,76) thedevice cannot be reset. Further if the test arm (90) or test pin (92) isnot operating properly, the device cannot be reset.

[0059] It should be noted that the circuit interrupting device of thepresent invention has a trip portion that operates independently of thecircuit interrupting portion so that in the event the circuitinterrupting portion becomes non-operational the device can still betripped. Preferably, the trip portion is manually activated as discussedabove (by pushing test button 22) and uses mechanical components tobreak one or more conductive paths. However, the trip portion may useelectrical circuitry and/or electromechanical components to break eitherthe phase or neutral conductive path or both paths.

[0060] Although the components used during circuit interrupting anddevice reset operations are electromechanical in nature, the presentapplication also contemplates using electrical components, such as solidstate switches and supporting circuitry, as well as other types ofcomponents capable or making and breaking electrical continuity in theconductive path.

[0061] It should also be noted that the circuit interrupting device ofthe present invention can be part of a system comprising one or morecircuits routed through a house, for example, or through any other wellknown structure. Thus, the system of the present invention is configuredwith electricity conducting media (e.g., electrical wire for carryingelectrical current) that form at least one circuit comprising at leastone circuit interrupting device of the present invention, electricaldevices, electrical systems and/or components; that is, electricalcomponents, electrical devices and or systems can be interconnected withelectrical wiring forming a circuit which also includes the circuitinterrupting device of the present invention. The formed circuit is thesystem of the present invention to which electrical power is provided.The system of the present invention can thus protect its components,systems, or electrical devices by disconnecting them from power if thecircuit interrupting device has detected a fault (or predeterminedcondition) from any one of them. In one embodiment, the circuitinterrupting device used in the system can be a GFCI.

[0062] While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental features of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and detailsof the device described and illustrated and in its operation may be madeby those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed:
 1. A circuit interrupting device comprising: a firstelectrical conductor capable of being electrically connected to a sourceof electricity; a second electrical conductor capable of conductingelectrical current to a load when electrically connected to said firstelectrical conductor; a third electrical conductor capable of beingelectrically connected to user accessible plugs and/or receptacles wherethe first, second and third electrical conductors are electricallyisolated from each other; a movable bridge electrically connected to thefirst electrical conductor, said movable bridge capable of electricallyconnecting the first, second and third electrical conductors to eachother; a circuit interrupting portion configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity between said first, second and third electrical conductorsupon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; a reset portionconfigured to reestablish electrical continuity between the first,second and third electrical conductors after said predeterminedcondition occurs; and a reset lockout mechanism that prevents thereestablishment of electrical continuity between said first, second andthird conductors if said circuit interrupting portion isnon-operational.
 2. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1 where thecondition comprises a ground fault, an arc fault, an appliance leakagefault, equipment leakage fault or an immersion detection fault.
 3. Thecircuit interrupting device of claim 1 further comprising a trip portionthat is configured to cause electrical discontinuity between the first,second and third electrical conductors.
 4. The circuit interruptingdevice of claim 3 where the trip portion comprises a test button havingan angled end portion for engaging the latch plate.
 5. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1 further comprising a sensing circuit fordetecting the occurrence of the predetermined condition.
 6. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1 where the circuit interrupting portioncomprises a coil and plunger assembly, a latch plate and lifter assemblyand a mechanical switch assembly for engaging a sensing circuit used todetect the condition.
 7. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1where the reset portion comprises a reset button attached to a reset pinwhich has a flange portion extending from and integral with its endportion.
 8. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1 where the movablebridge is an electricity conducting spring arm mechanically biased awayfrom the second and third electrical conductors.
 9. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1 where the first electrical conductorcomprises a contact connected to electric conducting material at leastpart of which extends outside of the housing.
 10. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1 where the second electrical conductorcomprises a contact connected to electric conducting material at leastpart of which extends outside of the housing.
 11. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1 where the third electrical conductorcomprises a contact connected to a conducting frame forming a receptaclethat is accessible from outside of the housing.
 12. A circuitinterrupting device comprising: a first pair of terminals capable ofbeing electrically connected to a source of electricity; a second pairof terminals capable of conducting electrical current to a load whenelectrically connected to said first pair of terminals; a third pair ofterminals capable of being electrically connected to user accessibleplugs and/or receptacles where the first, second and third pair ofterminals are electrically isolated from each other; a pair of movablebridges electrically connected to the first pair of terminals, saidmovable bridges capable of electrically connecting the first, second andthird pairs of terminals to each other; a circuit interrupting portionconfigured to cause electrical discontinuity between said first, secondand third pairs of terminals upon the occurrence of a predeterminedcondition; a reset portion configured to reestablish electricalcontinuity between the first, second and third pairs of terminals aftersaid predetermined condition occurs; and a reset lockout mechanism thatprevents the reestablishment of electrical continuity between saidfirst, second and third pairs of terminals if said circuit interruptingportion is non-operational.
 13. The circuit interrupting device of claim12 where the condition comprises a ground fault, an arc fault, anappliance leakage fault, equipment leakage fault or an immersiondetection fault.
 14. The circuit interrupting device of claim 12 furthercomprising a trip portion that is configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity between the first, second and third pairs of terminals.15. The circuit interrupting device of claim 14 where the trip portioncomprises a test button having an angled end portion for engaging thelatch.
 16. The circuit interrupting device of claim 12 furthercomprising a sensing circuit for detecting the occurrence of thepredetermined condition.
 17. The circuit interrupting device of claim 12where the circuit interrupting portion comprises a coil and plungerassembly, a latch plate and lifter assembly and a mechanical switchassembly for engaging a sensing circuit used to detect the condition.18. The circuit interrupting device of claim 12 where the reset portioncomprises a reset button attached to a reset pin which has a flangeportion extending from and integral with its end portion.
 19. Thecircuit interrupting device of claim 12 where the movable bridges areelectricity conducting spring arms mechanically biased away from thesecond and third terminal pairs.
 20. The circuit interrupting device ofclaim 12 where the first pair of terminals electrical conductorcomprises a pair of contacts connected to electrical conductors at leastpart of which extend outside of the housing.
 21. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 12 where the second pair of terminalscomprises a pair of contacts connected to electrical conductors at leastpart of which extend outside of the housing.
 22. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 12 where the pair of terminals comprises apair of contacts connected to a conducting frame forming a pair ofreceptacles that is accessible from outside of the housing.
 23. A GFCIdevice comprising: a housing; a pair of line terminals disposed at leastpartially within said housing and capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of electricity; a pair of load terminals disposedat least partially within said housing and capable of conductingelectrical current to a load when electrically connected to said lineterminals; a pair of face terminals connected to a pair of useraccessible receptacles where each face terminal extends from and isintegral with a metallic structure disposed within said housing; a pairof movable bridges each having two fingers and a bent end portion whereeach of the bent end portions is connected to a line terminal, said twofingers of each of the movable bridges are mechanically biased away fromthe line and load terminals and said two fingers are capable ofelectrically connecting the line, load and face terminals to each other;a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing, saidcircuit interrupting portion comprising a coil and movable plungerassembly, a biased mechanical switch assembly and a latch and lifterassembly where said latch having a circular opening is springingly andslidably coupled to said lifter which also has a circular opening, themovable plunger being positioned to engage the latch, and the lifterbeing positioned to engage the mechanical switch which engages a sensingcircuit used to detect a predetermined condition and said lifter is alsopositioned to engage the movable bridges for connecting the lineterminals to the load and face terminals; a reset portion comprising areset button attached to a reset pin said reset button and reset pinbeing mechanically biased, said reset pin having a circular flangeextending from its end portion, said flange positioned to interfere withthe latch when the opening of the latch is not aligned with the openingof the lifter and said flange and end portion extend through the openingof the latch and lifter when said latch is engaged by the movableplunger aligning the opening of the latch with the opening of the lifterand a recoil action by the latch causing a misalignment of the openingstrapping the end portion and flange underneath the latch allowing thebiasing of the reset pin and reset button to cause the flange to engagethe lifter which engages the movable bridges causing the line terminalsto be electrically connected to the load and face terminals; and a resetlockout mechanism that prevents the reestablishment of electricalcontinuity between the line, load and face terminals if said circuitinterrupting portion is non-operational.
 24. The GFCI device of claim 23where the pair of line terminals are metallic conductors with bindingscrews attached thereto where such binding screws are at least partiallylocated outside of the housing.
 25. The GFCI device of claim 23 wherethe pair of load terminals are metallic conductors with binding screwsattached thereto where such binding screws are at least partiallylocated outside of the housing.
 26. The GFCI device of claim 23 wherethe user accessible receptacles are configured to receive an outletplug.
 27. The GFCI device of claim 23 where each movable bridge of thepair of movable bridges is a metallic strip having a connecting portionand a bent end portion, where the connecting portion comprises twofingers with each finger having a contact attached thereto for engagingcorresponding face and load contacts and the connecting portion ismechanically biased away from the face and load terminals.
 28. The GFCIdevice of claim 23 further comprises a sensing circuit for detectingfaults where said sensing circuit is activated by the biased mechanicalswitch assembly engaged by the latch and lifter assembly resulting froman interference between the reset button and the latch and lifterassembly when the reset button is depressed.
 29. The GFCI of claim 23further comprising a trip portion configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity between the line, load and face terminals.
 30. The GFCI ofclaim 29 where the trip portion comprises a test button having an angledend for engaging the latch.
 31. A circuit interrupting devicecomprising: a first electrical conductor capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of electricity; a second electrical conductorcapable of conducting electrical current to a load when electricallyconnected to said first electrical conductor; a third electricalconductor capable of being electrically connected to user accessibleplugs and/or receptacles where the first, second and third electricalconductors are electrically isolated from each other; a movable bridgeelectrically connected to the first electrical conductor, said movablebridge capable of electrically connecting the first, second and thirdelectrical conductors to each other; a circuit interrupting portionconfigured to cause electrical discontinuity between said first, secondand third electrical conductors upon the occurrence of a predeterminedcondition; and a reset portion configured to reestablish electricalcontinuity between the first, second and third electrical conductorsafter said predetermined condition occurs.
 32. The circuit interruptingdevice of claim 31 where the condition comprises a ground fault, an arcfault, an appliance leakage fault, an equipment leakage fault, or animmersion detection fault.
 33. The circuit interrupting device of claim31 further comprising a trip portion that is configured to causeelectrical discontinuity between the first, second and third electricalconductors.
 34. The circuit interrupting device of claim 33 where thetrip portion comprises a test button having an angled end portion forengaging the latch plate.
 35. The circuit interrupting device of claim31 further comprising a sensing circuit for detecting the occurrence ofthe predetermined condition.
 36. The circuit interrupting device ofclaim 31 where the circuit interrupting portion comprises a coil andplunger assembly, a latch plate and lifter assembly and a mechanicalswitch assembly for engaging a sensing circuit used to detect thecondition.
 37. The circuit interrupting device of claim 31 where thereset portion comprises a reset button attached to a reset pin which hasa flange portion extending from and integral with its end portion. 38.The circuit interrupting device of claim 31 where the movable bridge isan electricity conducting spring arm mechanically biased away from thesecond and third electrical conductors.
 39. The circuit interruptingdevice of claim 31 where the first electrical conductor comprises acontact connected to electric conducting material at least part of whichextends outside of the housing.
 40. The circuit interrupting device ofclaim 31 where the second electrical conductor comprises a contactconnected to electric conducting material at least part of which extendsoutside of the housing.
 41. The circuit interrupting device of claim 31where the third electrical conductor comprises a contact connected to aconducting frame forming a receptacle that is accessible from outside ofthe housing.
 42. A circuit interrupting device comprising: a first pairof terminals capable of being electrically connected to a source ofelectricity; a second pair of terminals capable of conducting electricalcurrent to a load when electrically connected to said first pair ofterminals; a third pair of terminals capable of being electricallyconnected to user accessible plugs and/or receptacles where the first,second and third pair of terminals are electrically isolated from eachother; a pair of movable bridges electrically connected to the firstpair of terminals, said movable bridges capable of electricallyconnecting the first, second and third pairs of terminals to each other;a circuit interrupting portion and configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity between said first, second and third pairs of terminalsupon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a reset portionconfigured to reestablish electrical continuity between the first,second and third pairs of terminals after said predetermined conditionoccurs.
 43. The circuit interrupting device of claim 42 where thecondition comprises a ground fault, an arc fault, an appliance leakagefault, equipment leakage fault or an immersion detection fault.
 44. Thecircuit interrupting device of claim 42 further comprising a tripportion that is configured to cause electrical discontinuity between thefirst, second and third pairs of terminals.
 45. The circuit interruptingdevice of claim 42 where the trip portion comprises a test button havingan angled end portion for engaging the latch.
 46. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 42 further comprising a sensing circuit fordetecting the occurrence of the predetermined condition.
 47. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 42 where the circuit interrupting portioncomprises a coil and plunger assembly, a latch plate and lifter assemblyand a mechanical switch assembly for engaging a sensing circuit used todetect the condition.
 48. The circuit interrupting device of claim 42where the reset portion comprises a reset button attached to a reset pinwhich has a flange portion extending from and integral with its endportion.
 49. The circuit interrupting device of claim 42 where themovable bridges are electricity conducting spring arms mechanicallybiased away from the second and third terminal pairs.
 50. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 42 where the first pair of terminalselectrical conductor comprises a pair of contacts connected toelectrical conductors at least part of which extend outside of thehousing.
 51. The circuit interrupting device of claim 42 where thesecond pair of terminals comprises a pair of contacts connected toelectrical conductors at least part of which extend outside of thehousing.
 52. The circuit interrupting device of claim 42 where the thirdpair of terminals comprises a pair of contacts connected to a conductingframe forming a pair of receptacles that is accessible from outside ofthe housing.
 53. A GFCI device comprising: a housing; a pair of lineterminals disposed at least partially within said housing and capable ofbeing electrically connected to a source of electricity; a pair of loadterminals disposed at least partially within said housing and capable ofconducting electrical current to a load when electrically connected tosaid line terminals; a pair of face terminals connected to a pair ofuser accessible receptacles where each face terminal extends from and isintegral with a metallic structure disposed at least partially withinsaid housing; a pair of movable bridges each having two fingers and abent end portion where each of the bent end portions is connected to aline terminal, said two fingers of each of the movable bridges aremechanically biased away from the line and load terminals and said twofingers are capable of electrically connecting the line, load and faceterminals to each other; a circuit interrupting portion comprising acoil and movable plunger assembly, a biased mechanical switch assemblyand a latch and lifter assembly where said latch having a circularopening is springingly and slidably coupled to said lifter which alsohas a circular opening, the movable plunger being positioned to engagethe latch and the lifter being positioned to engage the mechanicalswitch for engaging a sensing circuit used to detect a predeterminedcondition and said lifter is also positioned to engage the movablebridges for connecting the line terminals to the load and faceterminals; and a reset portion comprising a reset button attached to areset pin said reset button and reset pin being mechanically biased,said reset pin having a circular flange extending from its end portion,said flange positioned to interfere with the latch when the opening ofthe latch is not aligned with the opening of the lifter and said flangeand end portion extend through the openings of the latch and lifter whensaid latch plate is engaged by the movable plunger aligning the openingof the latch with the opening of the lifter and a recoil action by thelatch causing a misalignment of the openings trapping the end portionand flange underneath the latch allowing the biasing of the reset pinand reset button to cause the flange to engage the lifter which engagesthe movable bridges causing the line terminals to be electricallyconnected to the load and face terminals.
 54. The GFCI device of claim53 where the pair of line terminals are metallic conductors with bindingscrews attached thereto where such binding screws are at least partiallylocated outside of the housing.
 55. The GFCI device of claim 53 wherethe pair of load terminals are metallic conductors with binding screwsattached thereto where such binding screws are at least partiallylocated outside of the housing.
 56. The GFCI device of claim 53 wherethe user accessible receptacles are configured to receive an outletplug.
 57. The GFCI device of claim 53 where each movable bridge of thepair of movable bridges is a metallic strip having a connecting portionand a bent end portion, where the connecting portion comprises twofingers with each finger having a contact attached thereto for engagingcorresponding face and load contacts and the connecting portion ismechanically biased away from the face and load terminals.
 58. The GFCIdevice of claim 53 further comprises a sensing circuit for detectingfaults where said sensing circuit is activated by the biased mechanicalswitch assembly engaged by the latch and lifter assembly resulting froman interference between the reset button and the latch and lifterassembly when the reset button is depressed.
 59. The GFCI of claim 53further comprising a trip portion configured to cause electricaldiscontinuity between the line, load and face terminals.
 60. The GFCI ofclaim 59 where the trip portion comprises a test button having an angledend for engaging the latch.
 61. A circuit interrupting devicecomprising: a housing; a pair of line terminals disposed at leastpartially within said housing and capable of being electricallyconnected to a source of electricity; a pair of load terminals disposedat least partially within said housing and capable of conductingelectrical current to a load when electrically connected to said lineterminals; a pair of electrical conductors for electrically connectingthe line terminals to the load terminals; a circuit interrupting portiondisposed within said housing, said circuit interrupting portioncomprising a coil and movable plunger assembly, a biased mechanicalswitch assembly and a latch and lifter assembly where said latch havinga circular opening is springingly and slidably coupled to said lifterwhich also has a circular opening, the movable plunger being positionedto engage the latch and the lifter being positioned to engage themechanical switch for engaging a sensing circuit used to detect apredetermined condition and said lifter is also positioned to engage thepair of electrical conductors for connecting the line terminals to theload terminals; a reset portion comprising a reset button attached to areset pin said reset button and reset pin being mechanically biased,said reset pin having a circular flange extending from its end portion,said flange positioned to interfere with the latch when the opening ofthe latch is not aligned with the opening of the lifter and said flangeand end portion extend through the openings of the latch and lifter whensaid latch plate is engaged by the movable plunger aligning the openingof the latch with the opening of the lifter and a recoil action by thelatch causing a misalignment of the openings trapping the end portionand flange underneath the latch allowing the biasing of the reset pinand reset button to cause the flange to engage the lifter which engagesthe movable bridges causing the line terminals to be electricallyconnected to the load terminals.
 62. The circuit interrupting device ofclaim 61 where the condition comprises a ground fault, an arc fault, anappliance leakage fault, equipment leakage fault or an immersiondetection fault.
 63. The circuit interrupting device of claim 61 furthercomprising a trip portion configured to cause electrical discontinuitybetween the line and load terminals where said trip portion comprises atrip button having an angled end for engaging the latch causing theopening of the latch to align with the opening of the lifter allowingthe reset pin to disengage the lifter causing the line and loadterminals to be disconnected from each other.
 64. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 61 further comprising a pair of faceterminals electrically connected to a pair of user accessiblereceptacles where each face terminals extends from and is integral witha metallic structure disposed within said housing.
 65. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 64 where the pair of electrical conductorsare also configured to connect the line terminals to the face terminals.66. The circuit interrupting device of claim 64 where the pair ofelectrical conductors are configured to connect the line, load and faceterminals to each other upon the device being reset and such conductorsare configured to disconnect the line, load and face terminals from eachother upon detection of a predetermined condition.
 67. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 61 further comprising a sensing circuit fordetecting the occurrence of the predetermined condition.
 68. A circuitinterrupting device comprising: a first electrical conductor; a secondelectrical conductor; a third electrical conductors; a movable bridgeelectrically connected to the first electrical conductor, said movablebridge capable of electrically connecting the first, second and thirdelectrical conductors to each other and disconnecting said first, secondand third electrical conductors from each other upon the occurrence of apredetermined condition; and a reset portion configured to reestablishelectrical continuity between the first, second and third electricalconductors after said predetermined condition occurs.
 69. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 68 further comprising a circuitinterrupting portion for causing electrical discontinuity between thefirst, second and third electrical conductors upon the occurrence of apredetermined condition.
 70. The circuit interrupting device of claim 68further comprising a reset lockout mechanism that prevents thereestablishment of electrical continuity between said first, second andthird electrical conductors when said device is non-operational.